#3: Arcane, Divine, and Psionic

[RPGnet Columns]

http://www.rpg.net/columns/thethree/thethree3.phtml

Summary:

A look at the three sorts of magic.

Go to the column (http://www.rpg.net/columns/thethree/thethree3.phtml) for more information.

[Dosoga]

I have to admit this column isn't doing much for me. I was thrilled to see someone delving into the various forms of magic. However, I don't find there has been any real substance.

I was hoping the article would get a bit more into each type of magic and provide either some design advice, or how to incorporate each style into the game.

PG

[torbenm]

http://www.rpg.net/columns/thethree/thethree3.phtml


I found the description of these three kinds of magic rather D&D centric. While it is true that other games have followed a similar distinction, this is by no means universal. Many games allow wizardly magic to heal and allow divine magic to be more spontaneous than the "stored spell" model you expose.

I also find that there is an important distinction between magic where you bind or control spirits to do your bidding and magic granted by a powerful entity to his/her/its followers, but both seem to fall under your divine category. And I didn't really find your distinction between arcane magic and psionics very convincing.

[Littleredfox]

And I didn't really find your distinction between arcane magic and psionics very convincing.

Since Psi and thus Psionics was invented by Rhine to put a scientific gloss on his atttempts to study things which would be better described as magic, it is not surprising that attempts to distinguish Psi from Magic tend to be facile or entirely associated with a single fantasy world.